John Nkengasong of ACDS on mobilising resources to enhance public health goals in Africa

The World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town recently featured discussions on enhancing healthcare in Africa. John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDS), shed light on the critical importance of mobilizing resources to strengthen public health goals on the continent. The interview conducted by CNBC Africa's Kenneth Igbomor delved into Nkengasong's experience at the forum and the strategies being employed by the Africa CDC to combat infectious diseases and bolster healthcare systems in Africa. The ACDS was established two years ago by African heads of states in response to the devastating West Africa Ebola outbreak. Since then, the organization has spearheaded efforts to address disease threats that pose serious economic, social, and security risks to the continent. Nkengasong emphasized the urgent need for robust and resilient health systems to effectively respond to disease outbreaks in a timely manner, as failure to do so could undermine progress and development efforts in Africa. In collaboration with governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders, the Africa CDC focuses on three key areas: advocating for the establishment of national public health institutes in member states, developing regional networks to enhance integration and collaboration, and prioritizing workforce development to ensure a competent public health workforce in Africa. One of the major challenges highlighted by Nkengasong is the issue of funding. Recognizing that substantial resources are essential to achieve public health goals, the Africa CDC has launched the Africa Public Health Foundation, a platform designed to bring together the private sector and other partners to mobilize resources for healthcare initiatives. The foundation aims to drive public-private partnerships and secure funding, as well as other forms of support, to advance healthcare objectives in countries like Nigeria. Addressing the critical need for skilled manpower in the healthcare sector, Nkengasong stressed the importance of training and deploying epidemiologists to effectively respond to disease threats. With a significant gap in the number of required epidemiologists in Africa, the Africa CDC is working on a collaborative approach involving partnerships with the private sector, public sector, and philanthropic organizations to rapidly train and deploy a competent workforce. When questioned about the model used to encourage governments to commit funding, Nkengasong highlighted the obligation of member states to contribute to the African Union, which in turn supports the Africa CDC. Additionally, the organization is engaging with member states to encourage additional contributions beyond regular allocations to further support the mission of the Africa CDC. Overall, John Nkengasong's insights underscore the critical role of strong health systems, effective partnerships, and resource mobilization in advancing public health goals in Africa. The Africa CDC's strategic focus on collaboration and capacity-building reflects a commitment to combating infectious diseases and improving healthcare outcomes across the continent.